Summary

The 2007-2008 USDA National Animal Health Monitoring System Beef Study documented that Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) is a serious production risk for U.S. beef cow-calf producers: respiratory disease is the most common cause of death in calves over three weeks old. The Washington State University Beef Team, already engaged in a five-year USDA-funded project called “An Integrated Approach to Control of Bovine Respiratory Diseases,” obtained additional funding from the Western Center for Risk Management Education to fund an educational outreach series for cow-calf beef producers. Outreach involved presenting newly-developed, evidence-based educational materials to cow-calf producers throughout the state. Team members conducted workshops in seven locations, directly reaching 165 producers. At each workshop, producers completed a self-assessment of their ranch’s BRD risk; received notebooks with 11 educational modules; interacted with Extension professionals; and were encouraged to request an on-farm BRD risk assessment conducted by team members. Educational module topics focusing on reducing BRD risk included: • Managing pregnant cows • Calving management• Optimizing calf care • Weaning Procedures• Cattle Handling • Vaccinations• Preconditioning • Transportation• Biosecurity • Health at feedlot arrival • Documenting BRD incidence and health costs An audience response system was used to measure knowledge gains immediately after each workshop. Results indicate substantial increases in all evaluated areas. The Top Ten Management Risks were identified from 93 producer self-assessments. Team members conducted 14 on-farm assessments and identified specific on-farm risks for participating producers. These data will inform the focus of future outreach and help producers develop management plans to lower the BRD risk of their herds.